Brunei's Oic Membership: A Historical Overview

Brunei, officially known as Brunei Darussalam, is a small yet wealthy nation in Southeast Asia with a population of around 455,858 as of 2023. It is the only sovereign state located entirely on the island of Borneo, sharing land borders with the Malaysian state of Sarawak. As a constitutional absolute monarchy led by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei has a unique approach to foreign policy, prioritizing caution and balance in its bilateral and regional relations. This is reflected in their decision-making within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), where they became a member in 1984, just after regaining full independence.

In line with its Islamic roots, Brunei is also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), having joined in January 1984 at the Fourth Islamic Summit in Morocco. The OIC, founded in 1969, is an intergovernmental organization that claims to be the collective voice of the Muslim world. With 57 member states, including 48 Muslim-majority countries, the OIC aims to safeguard the interests of the Muslim world while promoting international peace and harmony. Brunei's membership in the OIC aligns with its extensive relations with the Muslim world and its role as a moderating voice within the organization.

Brunei joined the OIC in 1984

Brunei joined the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in January 1984. The OIC is an intergovernmental organisation founded in 1969, which consists of 57 member states, 48 of which are Muslim-majority. The organisation claims to be "the collective voice of the Muslim world" and works to "safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony". Brunei is a small but wealthy nation and, as a Muslim-majority country, its membership of the OIC is an important part of its foreign relations.

In the same year that it joined the OIC, Brunei also became a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Brunei gives its ASEAN membership the highest priority in its foreign relations. It also became a founding member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995.

Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984, and its membership of international organisations such as the OIC was an important step in achieving recognition of its sovereignty and independence. Brunei has a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan, and Islam is the state religion.

The OIC was founded in 1969

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was founded in 1969, following an arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The fire, which destroyed part of the mosque's ancient roof and an 800-year-old pulpit, was blamed on Australian Christian fundamentalist Denis Michael Rohan, who was said to be mentally ill.

The incident caused outrage among Muslims worldwide, and Amin al-Husseini, the former Mufti of Jerusalem, called the arson a "Jewish crime". He urged all Muslim heads of state to convene a summit.

On September 25, 1969, an Islamic Conference was held in Rabat, Morocco, bringing together representatives of 24 Muslim-majority countries, most of whom were heads of state. The conference passed a resolution to promote close cooperation and mutual assistance among Muslim nations in various fields, inspired by Islamic teachings.

In March 1970, the First Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers was convened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where plans were made to establish a permanent secretariat for the OIC. Finally, in 1972, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, now known as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, was officially founded.

The OIC, with its 57 member states from four continents, is the second-largest intergovernmental organisation after the United Nations. It works to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world and promote international peace and harmony. While the organisation has been effective in cultural and educational projects, its political influence has been limited due to the diverse policies and interests of its individual members.

The OIC has 57 member states

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is an intergovernmental organisation founded in 1969. It has 57 member states, 56 of which are also member states of the United Nations. The exception is Palestine.

The OIC consists of 48 Muslim-majority countries, with some member countries, especially in West Africa and South America, such as Ivory Coast, Guyana, Gabon, Mozambique, Nigeria, Suriname, Togo, and Uganda, being notable exceptions. A few countries with significant Muslim populations, such as Russia and Thailand, are Observer States.

The OIC claims to be "the collective voice of the Muslim world" and works to "safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony". It has permanent delegations to the United Nations and the European Union, and its official languages are Arabic, English, and French.

The OIC has a collective population of over 2 billion as of 2022, accounting for just under a quarter of the world's population. The collective area of its member states is 31.66 million km2.

Brunei joined the OIC in 1984, the same year it became a member of the Commonwealth and the United Nations.

The OIC is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was founded in 1969 and has 57 members, 48 of which are Muslim-majority countries. The OIC is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with regional offices in New York, Geneva, Brussels, Iraq, Kabul, and Indonesia. The OIC claims to be "the collective voice of the Muslim world" and works to "safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony".

The OIC consists of 57 member states, 56 of which are also member states of the United Nations. The exception is Palestine. The collective population of OIC member states is over 2 billion as of 2022, accounting for just under a quarter of the world's population. The organisation has permanent delegations to the United Nations and the European Union, and its official languages are Arabic, English, and French.

The OIC operates affiliated, specialised, and subsidiary organs within the framework of the OIC Charter. The largest meeting, attended by the heads of state and government of the member states, convenes every three years. The Islamic Summit takes policy decisions and provides guidance on all issues pertaining to the realisation of the objectives as provided in the Charter. It also considers other issues of concern to the member states and the Ummah.

The Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers meets once a year to examine a progress report on the implementation of its decisions taken within the framework of the policy defined by the Islamic Summit. The OIC sponsors four universities, including the Islamic University of Technology, a subsidiary organ, and three affiliated institutions.

The OIC is headquartered in Jeddah, which is a vibrant and diverse city located on the coast of the Red Sea. Jeddah is known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance in the region. It serves as a vital hub for commerce, transportation, and tourism in Saudi Arabia. The city is home to important landmarks such as the Kaaba, the Globe, and the Crescent, which are reflected in the OIC emblem.

Jeddah was chosen as the headquarters of the OIC due to its strategic location and the strong support of the Saudi Arabian government for the organisation. The Saudi Arabian government has played a crucial role in promoting the interests of the Muslim world and has actively participated in the activities of the OIC. Additionally, Jeddah offers a convenient location for member states to meet and engage in discussions, given its proximity to other Middle Eastern countries.

The OIC aims to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world

Brunei joined the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 1984, one year after gaining full independence. The OIC is an intergovernmental organisation founded in 1969, with 57 member states, 48 of which are Muslim-majority countries. The OIC claims to be "the collective voice of the Muslim world" and works to "safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony".

The OIC has permanent delegations to the United Nations and the European Union, and its official languages are Arabic, English, and French. It operates affiliated, specialised, and subsidiary organs within the framework of the OIC Charter. The OIC consists of the Islamic Summit, the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, and the General Secretariat.

The Islamic Summit is the largest meeting of the OIC, attended by the heads of state and government of the member states, and it convenes every three years. The summit takes policy decisions and provides guidance on issues pertaining to the objectives set out in the OIC Charter.

The Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers meets annually to examine the progress of the implementation of the decisions taken within the framework of the policy defined by the Islamic Summit.

The General Secretariat is the executive body of the OIC and is responsible for implementing the decisions made by the Islamic Summit and the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

The OIC has addressed issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the wars in Bosnia and Iraq, the rise in refugees from Muslim-majority countries, and Islamophobia in the West. It has also taken a stance on human rights, adopting the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam, which provides guidance on human rights compatible with Sharia law.

In addition to its political role, the OIC also undertakes cultural and social projects. It sponsors four universities and has permanent delegations to the United Nations and the European Union. The OIC's structure and diverse membership contribute to its ability to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world.

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